ew/ue

Core Rule

ew / ue commonly represent the long vowel /uː/, especially at word endings or after consonants. They function as a vowel team encoding one stable sound.

Articulation Guide

Raise and retract the tongue slightly; lips are rounded and pushed forward. Airflow is smooth and continuous with no glide.

Word Analysis

• blueprint: ue in blue = /bluː/, cleanly separated from print.
• bruise: despite ui, the word begins with a /bruː/ quality.
• cruise: uise maintains /uː/ before the voiced fricative.

Pitfalls

ew may shift to /juː/ in few or new. ue in French-derived words may be reduced or silent.